Kavish Aziz
LUCKNOW–Twenty years back Mohammad Riyaz, now 29, of Lucknow lost both of his hands and one leg while saving a five-year girl from getting run over by a train. The girl got a life but Riyaz became handicapped forever. That was in 2003 but since then Riyaz is battling with economic constraints. Riyaz was promised financial help but he got none.
Mohmmad Riyaz lost one-third part of his body while saving the toddler, he got appreciation from many sections, even awarded for this bravery but what he did not get was the most needed financial help. No one came forward to provide him with monetary help.
Riyaz was just four year older to the girl in 2003 aged 9 when he was playing at Dollyganj in Lucknow near a park. Suddenly he saw the five-year-old girl standing on rail track while a train was racing towards her. He cried at the top of his voice to tell her to get away from there but his voice was unheard, probably in the hustle and bustle of the surroundings. He tried to attract the attention of his father who was near the girl but not aware of the running train. Even he did not got realize this as Riyaz’s call went unheard.
As the train was coming near the girl very fast, he instinctively ran towards her and pulled the girl aside without caring for his own safety. By this heroic act, he saved the girl but he got stuck somehow in the track. Within seconds the train passed from there trampling his two arms and one leg. He was saved after long medical care.
Felicitation in Singapore and Mauritius
When he was discharged from the hospital he was invited to be felicitated in Singapore and Mauritius. As people got to know about this brave act of Riyaz, he started to get a heroic welcome. As this news spread to other parts of the world through the international media, he was felicitated with the bravery awards.
Meeting with Kalam and Vajpayee
The then President APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee too was very much impressed with Riyaz’s commendable bravery. Riyaz met both of them as he was awarded with Sanjay Chopra Bravery Award. He was praised by both for his bravery.
Bollywood’s appreciation
The news of Riyaz’s bravery reached to Bollywood also and many top actors met him to appreciate him. He was called in the programme Sa Re Ga Ma Pa where noted singer and actor Himesh Reshamiya, Neha Kakkar and John Abraham met him and showered praise for him.
The Elusive Financial Help
The world discussed the bravery of Riyaz, he got citations, praise and all but no body helped his family financially. Three governments came into power during the last 20 years since Riyaz got handicapped in saving the girl but Riyaz got nothing as help; monetary or otherwise like any job etc.
Riyaz runs his family in Rs 6000 per month
Resolute Riyaz continued his bravery and passed his intermediate examination from CMS school but his loss of limbs became a handicap in getting any job. He runs a small stall in Telibagh where he reaches in his old and broken tricycle. He sells toffees, biscuits and spices. He earns hardly six thousand rupees a month from this stall. From this paltry sum he has to look after three younger sisters Iqra, Azra, Ruby and one brother Aman. Riyaz got married in 2020 and has a son also. He got married as this was arranged earlier despite being handicapped but now the responsibilities are much increased.
Father’s death and economic crisis
Riyaz’s father Mohammad Ahmad used to confined to his home due to psychiatric problem. He lost him in November 2022. It was a huge emotional setback for Riyaz. He took a loan of Rs. three lakh. Unfortunately, goods worth one and half lakh were stolen in the night of November 11.
But Riyaz did not lose heart and took another loan of Rs. 20 thousand and stacked up his stall a little. Despite being handicapped, he had to sweat all day long for his livelihood.
No help from CM’s Janta Darbar
Riyaz tried his best to do away his financial problem but could not succeed. He went to the Janta Darbar of the chief minister and requested for a job. He is still awaiting any help with the intervention of the CM office.
